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A crazed man waltzed right into a Queens church and destroyed a framed photograph of Pope Francis — earlier than spreading paint thinner on the basement flooring and dressing up in a priest’s gown, the diocese mentioned Wednesday.
Father Vincent Chirichella, pastor of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Astoria, mentioned he was praying for the 21-year-old man and forgave him for the “egregious” vandalism that came about Monday, the Diocese of Brooklyn mentioned in a press release.
The disturbed man walked by way of an open door of the church at round 8 p.m. and went into the rectory, the place he destroyed framed photographs of the pope and of Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan, the assertion mentioned.
He then headed to the basement, the place he unfold paint thinner all around the flooring, earlier than going again up the steps to the chapel vestry and placing on a priest’s gown.
A parish priest walked in as the person picked up a non secular merchandise — often known as a monstrance — and repeatedly smashed himself within the head with it, leaving a bloody path on the priestly clothes and the vessel.
For his closing “egregious act of non secular desecration,” the deranged man ran by way of the principle sanctuary, the place he opened the Tabernacle and threw the “consecrated hosts onto the ground,” in keeping with the diocese.
An NYPD spokesperson mentioned cops acquired a 911 name a couple of man breaking issues and attempting to harm himself contained in the church Monday.
EMS responders took him to Elmhurst General Hospital for analysis, police mentioned.
The bishop will re-consecrate the church Friday at midday earlier than mass can resume, a diocese spokesperson mentioned.
